Problem with a copyrighted film

[LP4H]

So, over the weekend I attended a horror convention. At one of the tables there were DVD copies of a favorite show of mine in which various movies are hosted. Most films are in the public domain, but one of the DVDs I purchased has a film that’s definitely not & is officially available on DVD. In the back of my mind I knew this, but I honestly wasn’t thinking of the film, I was thinking of the hosted content & original airdate when I bought it (I believe they were legally allowed to show this film on TV when it originally aired, but certainly not sell copies of it). Indeed, I don’t even really care about the movie, I intended on fast-forwarding through it anyway. But, that’s irrelevent. Bottom line is I have an illegal copy of a film. As I take copyright violation very seriously and would never intentionally buy a pirated film to get out of buying a real copy, and I wasn’t even thinking much of the film when I bought it (it wasn’t until later that I realized I had really slipped up), I don’t think this was a mortal sin, I certainly hope not. I’m not even sure if it’s grave matter in the first place; Obviously, stealing is a sin, but I don’t know when it ‘crosses’ from venial to mortal, for lack of a better description. I would think it’s a venial sin at most in this circumstance, but, I don’t know.

Anyway, I want to make this right. Would simply purchasing a legal DVD copy of the film be proper reparation for this? I already plan on doing just that (the minute my deposited $$$ shows up online as being in the bank - I’m buying this from Amazon). Should I buy two, to make up for the illegal copy? Do I have to throw away this convention copy? Like I said, I want this DVD for the hosted material, not the film, so I’d really hate to pitch it.

 

[Robertanthony]

I think the content of the DVD is way more problematic than whether or not there is copyright infringement involved, IMHO.

 

[Edmundus1581]

…
I would think it’s a venial sin at most in this circumstance, but, I don’t know.

Absolutely correct. It’s not grave matter to have one illegal copy of a copyrighted movie.

Anyway, I want to make this right. Would simply purchasing a legal DVD copy of the film be proper reparation for this? I already plan on doing just that (the minute my deposited $$$ shows up online as being in the bank - I’m buying this from Amazon).

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Are you absolutely sure that the copy used in the DVD is illegal? I’d check that first. If it’s from a reputable company then I’d give them any benefit of the doubt.

Whatever happens, it’s not worth a lot of anxiety.

 

[LP4H]

Absolutely correct. It’s not grave matter to have one illegal copy of a copyrighted movie.

Sounds like a good plan to me.
**
Are you absolutely sure that the copy used in the DVD is illegal? I’d check that first. If it’s from a reputable company then I’d give them any benefit of the doubt.**

Whatever happens, it’s not worth a lot of anxiety.

Yeah, unfortunately the DVD is more along the lines of a homemade deal. Printed cover, burnt DVD. The actual print used, I would assume is the one used on TV back when it originally aired, it doesn’t appear to be ripped from a VHS or DVD. The official DVD would be a monumental improvement in all aspects, I’m sure. The original film (which is just a cheesy old sci-fi flick, nothing explicit or dangerous to my morals) is owned by MGM. The flick was really the last thing on my mind when I bought it, I was more interested in the fact that it was an earlier episode of this particular series (for the record, this is not illegal copy of the TV series’ episode, I know that for sure, the movie used is the only issue).

I’m just hoping that purchasing a legal, official DVD copy of the film is proper compensation. I hate feeling like I’ve stolen anything in any way.

 

[Edmundus1581]

…
I’m just hoping that purchasing a legal, official DVD copy of the film is proper compensation. I hate feeling like I’ve stolen anything in any way.

I think so… Put yourself in the position of the owners. Would you prefer that you binned the illegall DVD, or kept it, and bought one legal copy?

 

[TimothyH]

The issue is culpability, not sin. Copying and selling copyrighted materials is stealing. It is objectively sinful. Purchasing such material is aiding and supporting sin. Supporting sin is always sinful.

The question is culpability, which is the degree to which you can be held responsible. Did you act purposely, knowingly, recklessly or were you negligent, unaware or even forced to commit the sin?

For example, abortion is always a sin. A wealthy Catholic housewife who decides that a fourth child is too much of an inconvenience and has an abortion is more culpable than a pregnant and scared sixteen year old girl from a broken home who has never been to Church and who’s boyfriend convinces her to have an abortion.

A priest is trained to understand what sin is and our measure of culpability based on our actions. An internet message board is not the place to ask for advice on the matter. A priest is the person to ask.

-Tim-

 

[Edmundus1581]

The issue is culpability, not sin. Copying and selling copyrighted materials is stealing. It is objectively sinful. Purchasing such material is aiding and supporting sin. Supporting sin is always sinful.

The question is culpability, which is the degree to which you can be held responsible. Did you act purposely, knowingly, recklessly or were you negligent, unaware or even forced to commit the sin?

For example, abortion is always a sin. A wealthy Catholic housewife who decides that a fourth child is too much of an inconvenience and has an abortion is more culpable than a pregnant and scared sixteen year old girl from a broken home who has never been to Church and who’s boyfriend convinces her to have an abortion.

A priest is trained to understand what sin is and our measure of culpability based on our actions. An internet message board is not the place to ask for advice on the matter. A priest is the person to ask.

-Tim-

Yes, but we are only talking about one pirated movie here, for which the OP intends to make restitution. It’s a venial sin, at worst.

We are not obliged to confess venial sins, and, if we do confess them, we don’t need to present all the details for the priest to assess our culpability, so long as we admit some culpability and repentance. “I purchased a pirated DVD but I’ve made restitution for it” is quite adequate. This is assuming the OP’s original statement that when he purchased it he was aware that it included pirated material. If he had been unaware, then there was no sin at all.

The OP presented the mitigating factors for culpability (ie. that it was an unwanted part of legitimately purchased DVD), but they were not central to the two main questions of: was this a mortal sin? and, how do I make restitution? In my response, I answered those questions without discussing the culpability.

Still, you are correct that a priest or moral theologian would be the person to ask about culpability, if one was really concerned about that aspect of the question.

 

[exnihilo]

I’m not sure this is stealing. Stealing physical property actually deprives someone of something. Receiving a copy of a movie for which you did not pay a license is not exactly taking money from someone. If you never actually watched the movie you have not even deprived anyone of what they are due. I think copyright crimes are malum prohibitum. The right to money from intellectual property is fixed by law, and only for a time, and not something natural. I think violating copyright law is more like violating speeding laws and probably less serious than speeding since speeding actually endangers peoples lives.

In the future I would avoid taking material you know to be in violation of the law. As for how to remedy the current situation if you aren’t going to watch the movie I would think destroying your illegal copy and doing some charitable act might be a better remedy. You could buy a copy but I’m not sure the harm was to the movie makers. I think the violation was obedience due to the laws of the state. What do you do to make amends for speeding? I would think a similar response is appropriate.

 

[LP4H]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I’ve ordered an official DVD copy of the film, so hopefully I’ve set things right. In the future, I’ll try to be more alert should this situation arise again.